Ryan Anderson Wins NBA's Most Improved Player Award

Ryan Anderson of the Orlando Magic is the winner of the 2011-2012 NBA Most Improved Player award. Anderson averaged career highs in points, rebounds and Free Throw percentage.

Ryan Anderson becomes the 5th player (after Scott Skiles, Darrell Armstrong, Tracy McGrady and Hedo Turkoglu) to win the NBA's Most Improved player award. Anderson, playing in his 4th year, averaged a career best of 16.1 point per game and 7.7 rebounds per game. Anderson was pivotal in the Magic's run to the playoffs this year. Finishing 2nd in the race for this award was Ersan Ilyasova. The native of Turkey had career bests in points (13.1), rebounds (8.8) as well as minutes played (27.6).

Although Ryan Anderson had an impressive season, his postseason has been somewhat of a disaster. Anderson is averaging 7.7 points per game in this series against the Indiana Pacers while shooting a brutal 32% from the field. Will Anderson's Most Improved Player award end as a fluke? If Dwight Howard does leave in the near future, and assuming that the Magic do re-sign Anderson this summer, it won't be surprising if a good portion of the Magic's plays on offense will revolve around the winner of this year's Most Improved Player award.

Ryan Anderson and his Magic look to tie the series at two apiece as the Orlando Magic will play their first home playoff game tomorrow at 2 p.m Eastern.